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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Top 100 Songs of 2010, 100-71

Here we go: my first ever stab at making a top songs of the year list! Just as with albums, a great many details effect my likings: the song's function on its given disc, the degree to which it has been over-played, and the inclination of any music lover to grab a handful of tracks off of their favorite LPs. I'm a victim of all of these, the last one especially, and because of that, there's a distinct possibility that there might appear to be fewer artists mentioned on this list than on many other publications' rundowns. But I'm ok with that. These 100+ tracks represent pretty accurately what I was listening to this year, and because of that I have made minimal attempts to add extra artists for variety's sake. If you like a group's sound, then you do, and year-end-list-making is a terrible time to apologize for that. This also accounts for the fact that many artist's songs are listed in bunches here: It's only logical that the difference in quality between the various songs of one artist would be lesser than that of selected songs from the whole field. It should also be noted that this list contains some songs that actually met the world last year, but were not released on an LP. This categorization leads to the noteworthy inclusion of some older songs (Crown on the Ground, Ambling Alp) as well as some eye-catching omissions (all of Panda Bear's singles). Just throwing it out there. Enjoy:

100. Galaxy in Janaki---Flying Lotus*Cosmogramma’s closer is a shimmering sway, perfect for drives home after long, surreal nights.99. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)---Arcade FireThe Suburbs last proper track is joyously defiant and youthfully vivacious, alluding to Blondie, and summing up the album as a whole in even measure.98. Lost in the World feat. Bon Iver/Who Will Survive in America---Kanye West Wow, maybe I only like final tracks. MBDTF’s two-part finale is just as grand as the album itself, fist-pumping beat and fight-the-morning celebration in full-force, all encased in Bon Iver's most unlikely of samples.97. Stay Close---Delorean* On an album full of sunny moments, it only makes sense that the brightest would be the best.96. Hand Me Downs---The Morning Benders The serious-minded antithesis to the rest of Big Echo is bold, tense and dramatic in all the right ways.

Gritty and dirty from first to last, Me and My Devil is a snarling, slow-tempo trip down to hell, and I mean that in the best of ways.

91. Oliver Twist---Avey Tare The most distinctive tune on an album far more focused on the whole, Oliver Twist’s electronic pulse gels brilliantly with Tare’s ever-present tendency towards messing with our expectations vocally in a catchy and fun way.

The unrelenting overcast of Take It In’s verses shouldn’t fit with the brightening uplift of its chorus, but the fact that they do makes the song just as mesmerizing as it is fun.

88. Tell 'em---Sleigh Bells Treats’ lead-off single is all that we have now come to expect from them: Loud, jagged, exciting, loud, and loud.87. Lewis Takes His Shirt Off---Owen Pallet* In an album full of studied orchestral beauty, LTHSO stands out for marrying Pallet’s string-drenched aesthetic with something poppy and bright.

Another jam off an album full of them, Take it Easy has a playful gallop that sets it apart from the rest.

84. Let it Out---Girl Talk The Jay-Z opening, the Rihanna/Fugazi combo, anything involving Mr. Blue Sky: Just about all of my favorite moments in All Day are within Let it Out.83. Abglanz---Pantha du PrinceAbglanz plays with your ears in ways that songs seldom do, its bass shifts unlike anything on this planet, its otherworldly sway undeniable.82. Dog Days Are Over---Florence and the Machine* This is what anthems are supposed to do: build and build until you can’t help but sing along.81. Airplanes---Local Natives As ready an example of LN’s vocal prowess as any, Airplanes’ harmonies are among the year’s very most gorgeous.

My favorite guest appearance on Plastic Beach, the years and use behind Lou Reid’s voice cause the familiar to sound vaguely foreign, making him the perfect narrorator for SKoN’s bouncy, pastel nightmare.

1 comment:

Collin,Your new blog has created a new way for me to procrastinate. You see, I now feel the need to listen to some of these songs/albums, especially the ones I've not heard, and compare my feelings towards them with your reviews. My homework hates you. I, on the other hand, thank you.